RTSC Gala Reports

26th/27th April 2008 - London Borough of Redbridge Sprint Meet

In addition to the Junior Speedo League, Romford swimmers were also involved in London Borough of Redbridge’s age group meet at the weekend. This meet gave some swimmers a last opportunity to gain London District Age Group times whilst for others the chance to see how they have progressed during the season so far.

One of those swimmers taking the opportunity to gain London District times was emerging talent Rachel Welsh. The 13 year old swam to fourth place and a District time in the 100 metres Freestyle and came 2nd in the 100 metres Backstroke in gaining another District Qualifying time.Rachel also gained a 1st place finish in the 50 metres freestyle whilst Claire Jackson gained 5th place in the 200 metres individual medley and twelve year old Lily Rose Fancourt produced a good personal best time and a District Qualifying time as she finished 5th in the 100 metres Butterfly. Hannah Coles swam a big personal best time to gain 6th place in the 200 metres Butterfly.

Also trying to achieve District times was 11 year old William Harding, who having won the 200 metres Breastroke in a big personal best time (PB) and District Qualifying time, he won the 200 metres Backstroke with another District time and PB. William also added a third District Qualifying time in the 200 metres individual medley where he finished 2nd. Teammate Oliver Applebee grabbed 3rd place in an equally impressive personal best time. Aidan Jackson had a good 1st place finish in the 11 years 100 metres individual medley. Ten-year-old Sam Hollington did well to gain 6th place in the 200 metres Backstroke and 50 metres freestyle.

Competing in the nine years age group category, Sophie Ward had to be content with 3rd place in the 200 metres Butterfly after a blistering first 50 metres, which she will learn from. Sophie was also 4th in the 200 metres individual medley and in the 200 metres Breastroke, where team mate, Maddie Webber gained a good 6th place. In the nine year olds 200 metres Backstroke, Bethany Moore was 2nd with Sophie 3rd. Maddie Webber picked up another 6th place finish in the 50 metres Freestyle.

Swimming for the boys in the nine years age group, Toby Masckall swam to a good 2nd place in the 50 metres Backstroke and third in the 200 metres Butterfly. Connor Houlihan was 5th in the 50 and 200 metres Breastroke. In the 200 metres Backstroke, Toby gained 4th place with Oliver Coles coming 5th. Oliver was also 6th in the 50m Freestyle

In the 10/11 year age group competition, Brock Whiston achieved a huge personal best time in storming to 1st place in the 200 metres Butterfly and a District Qualifying time in which ten year old Victoria Christmas was 2nd and Sophie Thompson 3rd. Brock also went on to win the 50 metres Backstroke. Rosie Webber swam to a big personal best time and London District Qualifying time as she came 4th in the 200 metres individual medley and Sophie Thompson was placed 6th in the 50 metres Breastroke. Lindsay Mclachlan swam well to gain two top six places in both the 100 metres individual medley and 200 metres Freestyle, whilst Emma Aston gained 4th place and an improved District time in the 11 years 200 metres Breastroke.

Returning to competition for the first time in a few years was 17-year-old Jamie Reinzo who having been out of the water for a couple of years has decided to 'give it another go'. The former National Finalist demonstrated that he still has some talent as he cruised to winning the 200 metres Breastroke in a time just eight seconds outside the National Championship Qualifying time, Sam Whitehead was 3rd. Jamie followed this up with 1st place in the 100 metres Butterfly, in which Sam Whitehead was 2nd and 14 year old Thomas Clark 6th. A 1st place in the 100 metres Breastroke, in a time only 3.5 seconds outside this years National Qualifying times, should give him incentive enough looking towards next season. Sam Whitehead continued his good form at the weekend with a 3rd place in the 100 metres freestyle and took top spot in the 100 metres individual medley, with Tom Clark 4th and Andrew Ward 6th.

These top six performances accompanied by some other very good swims at the weekend helped Romford gain top Visiting Club.